'Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be...Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you'll live as you've never lived before.' (Erich Fromm)

Sunday, 9 August 2009

re Update!

Hi all...

Apologies I’ve been offline for a couple of weeks now. Well, I’ve just returned from a one week Arvon Writing Retreat Moniack Mhor Writer’s Centre. Moniack Mhor is 12 miles from Inverness (Scotland) and 1000 feet above sea level. Although the 7+ hour train journey from Manchester to Inverness was pretty exhausting (both ways), having the time and space to catch up with my writing, without the distractions of T.V. and internet, was absolutely exhilarating. And, to do so in the midst of such inspiring and stunning views was such a privilege and treat. I got heaps done ... hurrah :) Anyway, this is a quick post to let you all know that I will be touching base with all your blogs in the next few days once I catch my breath (around work and coursework commitments). In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the photos I took of my retreat location. Btw, my room was just through the blue door in the bottom photo.

Catherine

ps OoooH... and many thanks to all those who have read and commented on my last post!

19 comments:

This makes me want to pack my bags, board a plane and lose myself in the Highlands. I spent six weeks in Scotland (too many years ago) and have always wanted to get back. The photos remind me of some I took of Skye -- thanks for the memories, and welcome back.

Amazing photographs Cath, I'm glad you had a fabulous time. Some friends returned from a women's conference out of state, & I was reminded that we all need a time of refreshing from time to time. I just imagine the peace of nature that filled you out there. xxx

Gosh, if this doesn't inspire you, nothing will! What a fantastic trip you had.... ooohhhh I'm so jealous!! I'm happy to hear that it went well and you created profusely...oh, the distractions of that darn internet and tv, no? I should give myself one day reprieve from both but wonder how successful I will be while living at home and working!! *sigh* If anything, I should cut back and create more...I've been negligent in this area for a while now. Have to get back in the groove.

@Lianne: Glad to have brought back some good memories. The Highlands are incredible!

@Michelle: Indeed, it was fantastic...

@Printemps: The Scottish Highlands --- amazing, amazing, amazing :)

@Annie: Thanks sweet... it’s good to be back!

@She Poet: Lol... it really was a brilliant writer’s hideaway....

@Lilly: Thanks sis... I was lucky with the photos :)

@Rebecca: Isn’t it so hard to find the ‘writing space’ in the midst of daily life? It really was good to get away...

@Rush: Indeed, it was gorgeous!

@Cynthia: Yes, I lucked out with the photographs...

@JM: I’m still a novice in terms of taking photographs... but I was pretty lucky to get these set of photos :)

@Jonas: Ha ha ha... yes, people do actually go to ‘these places’... in fact, I’ve been thinking about it for the last 3+ years and I’ve just finally had the opportunity to go... it was really well worth every minute!

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About Me

At the moment this BLOG reflects a collage of my musings, poetry, short stories, songs and random thoughts. In as much as blogging is therapeutic for me - as one who struggles with deep depression and issues of self-worth - I want to engage you, my reader, in the adventure that is my LIFE!
Three words that best describe my personality and character are: bohemian, zany, and eclectic - or simply put - MAD. Many years ago someone summed me up by saying that I am: 'a square peg that refuses to fit into a round hole' - or vice versa. I work as a secondary school teacher although I'm an aspiring author and poet. I'm currently undertaking an MA in Creative Writing - which I'm enjoying immensely. In the future (around my writing), I hope to engage in Christian work and social projects that raise awareness and funding for the work of HIV/AIDS.

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The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveller, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.

Design by Robert Frost

I found a dimpled spider, fat and white,On a white heal-all, holding up a mothLike a white piece of rigid satin cloth --Assorted characters of death and blightMixed ready to begin the morning right,Like the ingredients of a witches' broth --A snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth,And dead wings carried like a paper kite.What had that flower to do with being white,The wayside blue and innocent heal-all?What brought the kindred spider to that height,Then steered the white moth thither in the night?What but design of darkness to appall?--If design govern in a thing so small.

Terezin by Michael Longley

No room has ever been as silent as the room Where hundreds of violins are hung in unison.

Poem (Untitled) by Catherine Mark-Beasant

The sufferer with mirthas his song – has he breathedhis last chuckle, or deaththrown him a lifeline?

Communion by Catherine Mark-Beasant

The ladybends both kneesand eye-balls

the erectionfirst a glanceskyward

measured,her lips embracetransfigured flesh

received throughhollow moistpharynx

Parody on Edwin Morgan's 'A view of things'!

what I love about kangaroos are their hoppity hopwhat I hate about the sunshine is its snarlwhat I love about the Himalaya is its grandeurwhat I hate about fire is its fierce facewhat I love about magazines are their tittle-tattlewhat I hate about religion is its stern poutwhat I love about Harry is his whiskerswhat I hate about Alma is her wrinkleswhat I love about diamonds are their valuewhat I hate about pearls are their ilkwhat I love about poetry is its ambiguitywhat I hate about horses are their hooveswhat I love about love is its truthwhat I hate about hate is its heartwhat I love about hate is its strengthwhat I hate about love is its boundarieswhat I love about Dad is his wisdomwhat I hate about school children is their smugnesswhat I love about Mum is her diplomacywhat I hate about black pudding is its colour, texture, smell, and tastewhat I love about the world is its vastnesswhat I hate about death is its uncertainty and finite naturewhat I love about the sea is its honestywhat I hate about the rain is that it's cold, damp, and wetwhat I love about time is its indifferencewhat I hate about you, friend, is your CD collectionwhat I love about distance is its power to transcendCatherine Mark-Beasant